TRIBUNE: Rutherford takes a hit over Bright Start publicity stunt

The state’s Bright Start College Savings Program has come under fire again after a promotion promising a $250 match for contributions made this month quickly ran through its budget, leaving families feeling they were duped into adding money to their accounts.

The Illinois treasurer’s office said Wednesday that it is investigating why a website touting the promotion was not updated for nearly 24 hours after it had paid its limit of 2,500 bonuses. Participants complain that they continued to put money into their Bright Start funds expecting the match even though the program was finished by 3 p.m. Friday.